FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Freedom of speech has been a controversial and widely discussed issue for decades. Since democratic
societies have been established in many countries, citizens have been given better rights and freedom.
Freedom of speech is definitely one of the most important rights as a human. As individuals of this
society, we have the right to express our opinions, write, publish or spread our words sure of the fact that
we are going to be respected and safe. Therefore, it should be self-evident that everyone in the world
should have the freedom to express themselves.

According to Amnesty UK, 'Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and
ideas of all kinds, by any means.' (What is Freedom of Speech?, Amnesty.org.uk, 2019) This freedom is
regarded as a fundamental principle of a democracy as it provides opportunities for free discussion of
contemporary issues and raises the people's voices against state cruelty and misuse of power. According to
article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion
and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” (Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu, retrieved 28/03/2019)

North Korea hits rock bottom when it comes to freedom of speech. The media is widely censored and is
only used as the government's propaganda instrument. Reporters and journalists must belong to the state-
bearing Communist Party with the aim of conveying the news that, for the most part, deals with the
statements and activities of the political leaders. In the article “North Korea profile - Media”, BBC News
states that ordinary North Koreans caught listening to foreign broadcasts risk harsh punishments, such as
forced labor. North Koreans are simply cut off from international media. (2019, North Korea profile -
Media, bbc.com/news, retrieved 28/03/2019)

Yeonmi Park, the 25-year-old North Korean defector, and human rights activist, escaped to China in 2007
and started living in South Korea in 2009. She says that “North Korea is an unimaginable country, there is
only one channel on TV, there is no internet, we aren’t free to sing, say, wear or think what we want.”
stating the reality and the misfortune of being born in that country. “North Korea is the only country in the
world that executed people for making unauthorized international phone calls.” Furthermore, she states
“There is no Romeo and Juliet, every story was propaganda to promote the Kim dictators.” Lastly, she
says “North Korea is indescribable. Nobody deserves to be oppressed just because of their birthplace.”
(One Young World, 2014, Escaping from North Korea in search of freedom, youtube.com, retrieved
21/03/2019)

The media has many tasks to fulfill striving after a fully rightful and democratic society. For example,
reviewing authorities or detecting inaccuracies and abuse of power in a country. In addition, the media
should inform the people about what is happening in society and become a forum for debate where
everyone's opinions can be spoken. It is stated in the book “In Defense of Journalists” that in the case of
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, Bhagwati, J. perceived that “democracy is based essentially on free
debate and open discussion…” Furthermore, it is stated that “If democracy means government of the
people, by the people, it is obvious that every citizen must be entitled to participate in the democratic
process…” (Nolan Shulter, 2011, In Defense of Journalists, books.google.se, retrieved 28/03/2019).
However, we should really ask: Is the media really capable of doing it in all countries?

2018 has been a brutal year for journalists and reporters, and it keeps getting worse. Reporters all around
the world face more pressure and enjoy less security. The statistics show that a total of 76 journalists have
died in 2018 for both confirmed and unconfirmed reasons (Committee to Protect Journalists, cpj.org,
2018).
On the second of October, entered Jamal Khashoggi, a well-known journalist and critic of the Saudi
government, the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. There he took his last breaths. The 59-year-old journalist
went on self-imposed exile in the United States last year. He was the writer of a criticizing month's
column in the Washington Post against the politics of Saudi Arabia and the crown prince Mohammed bin
Salman. Just because he criticized the Saudi royal family and wrote about the corruption there, he died a
gruesome death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Jamal Khashoggi's murder is not just a case of murder.
It is about the oppression of freedom of speech in the world. (2018, Jamal Khashoggi: All you need to
know about Saudi journalist's death, bbc.com/news, retrieved 28/03/2019)
This brutal and inhumane punishment was stopped in most countries, including the United States, France,
and the United Kingdom, many years ago. Nevertheless, North Korea still uses this barbaric punishment
for people who oppose the regime's power.

Different countries have a certain level of tolerance when it comes to performing this right. Sometimes the
freedom of the press can be disadvantageous more than it helps. The United States is the best example of
that claim. Vice went to Arizona to interview a “preacher” who uses the freedom of expression to
aggressively preach to people in the streets. (Vice, 2014, Slut Shaming Preacher: Profiles by Vice,
youtube.com, retrieved 28/03/2019) This interview can show the consequences of the unlimited freedom
that the US Supreme Court offers. “You whore! It is because of the way you dress that you are raped!
Only Jesus can save you!” Such cases are where freedom of speech allows people to cross red lines.
People did not agree with his preachment and he was actually verbally and physically attacked. However,
if it is his right to say what he thinks, even if it is offensive. There is an emphasis on freedom of the press
and freedom of expression, "with freedom comes responsibility,"

After hearing about such situations, it is easy to question the limits of freedom of speech. "Should there
not be restrictions on freedom of expression?" The answer is simply a no, with capital letters. Different
values that are considered important could never arise if it is not possible to see and hear different
perspectives. Freedom of the press leads to democracy and freedom, a country that becomes a utopia.
Opinions should not be blocked or censored, otherwise, people will be trapped and pressed which may
lead to revolutions, vandalism, and destruction. Non-violent protests are a way of communicating with the
government if they want to make a change about a problem that can affect society. By protesting our
voices can be heard and our opinions can be seen by the government. Last but not least, if we can convey
our ideas, opinions, and concerns effectively, we mean that we are part of meaningful participation in
society and can have the opportunity to improve our own circumstances.

Finally, freedom of the press is the most important human right that every individual has the right to. This
freedom comes with the ability to express opinions, whether good or bad. The people are positively
influenced by this right because it helps people communicate with the government and express their
thoughts and feelings. Something has to be done in all the countries that have censored and limited press
freedom.

Reference list:
(https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/law-standards/united-nations-human-rights-system/)

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/free-speech-freedom-expression-human-right

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44234505

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw&t=136s
https://books.google.se/books?
id=nx5Cg7ChuHQC&pg=PA189&dq=in+defense+of+journalists+gandhi&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7odqH56
ThAhVok4sKHavuCfcQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=Democraty%20is%20based&f=false

https://cpj.org/data/killed/2018/?status=Killed&motiveConfirmed%5B%5D=Confirmed&motiveUnconfirmed%5B
%5D=Unconfirmed&type%5B%5D=Journalist&start_year=2018&end_year=2018&group_by=location

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/10/09/has-been-brutal-year-journalists-it-keeps-getting-
worse/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fe3235be3441
https://www.dailytexanonline.com/person/dean-saxton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkNQDOPjcdU